League Preview: Shelbourne -v- Wexford Youths

• Josh Dolan
• Thu, Apr 09 2015




SHELBOURNE

Shelbourne will be looking for their first home win of the season when they host Shane Keegan's Wexford Youths on Friday night.

Friday's fixture will see Kevin Doherty's side play their second game in four days after their 1-0 EA Sports Cup Second Round defeat away to Dundalk on Tuesday.

"We had four players making their senior debuts in the game on Tuesday. We were also able to give game time to some of the squad who had not featured recently," Doherty said.

"I was very satisfied with the performance, holding the more experienced opposition to a single goal," the former Shels defender added.

Looking ahead to Friday night's tie with Wexford Youths, Doherty was full of admiration for Friday night's opposition.

"Wexford are a very good side. I have already said that I see them as the probable winners of the league this season," the Shels boss suggested.

"We know what to expect and we have prepared well for the game. It's up to us to show what we can do, now," Doherty concluded

There's no let up on the injury front for Shels. Paul Andrews, Dylan McGlade, Simon Dixon, Dave Ryan and Sean Heaney will all miss Friday's game through injury, while defender Alan Kehoe is a doubt for the visit of Shane Keegan's side, after he limped out of The Reds' EA Sports Cup Second Round defeat to Dundalk on Tuesday with a groin injury. 

 

WEXFORD YOUTHS

Wexford travel to the capital on the back of respective 1-0 wins against recently relegated duo UCD and Athlone Town.

The Youths have already been in Dublin this season and will want to avoid a repeat of the performance that saw them lose to the SSE Airtricity League's newest side, Cabinteely FC, on the opening night of the season.

However, that remains Shane Keegan's side's only dropped points away from Ferrycarrig Park this campaign, meaning that they will be in confident mood traveling to Drumcondra on Friday night.

Keegan will be hoping that his top marksman Danny Furlong can continue in his strong run of form, after netting four goals in the opening five games of this season's First Division.

Stephen Last and Dean Broaders will miss the trip to Tolka Park, as they continue to recover from respective injuries. There are doubts over the fitness of Craig Comeford, who picked up a back injury in last week's win over Athlone and Andy Mulligan, who's pressing for a return after a hamstring injury, while Eric Molloy and Craig Wall will face late fitness tests at Tolka Park.

 

Referee: John McLoughlin

 

MATCH STATS

Wexford Youths have won twice on the road already this season, beating Athlone Town and Cobh Ramblers.

Shelbourne dropped just 13 points at home last season.  They've already dropped five points in just two home games this season.

Wexford finished joint second last season in terms of most goals scored away from home, netting 21 times.

 

BETTING

Shelbourne 6/5; Draw 9/4; Wexford Youths 2/1.

 

PREDICTION

Shelbourne 1-1 Wexford Youths.

 

Shelbourne

Injured: Paul Andrews, Dylan McGlade, Simon Dixon, Dave Ryan, Sean Heaney.

Doubtful: Alan Kehoe.

Suspended: None.

 

Wexford Youths

Injured: Stephen Last, Dean Broaders.

Doubtful: Andy Mulligan, Craig Comeford, Eric Molloy, Craig Wall.

Suspended: None.